Description

Jack Straw, Jack A Roe, Cassidy, Row Jimmy, Mama Tried-> Mexicali Blues, Stagger Lee, Passenger, Deal I Need A Miracle-> Shakedown Street, From The Heart Of Me, Terrapin Station-> Playin' In The Band-> Drums-> Playin' In The Band-> Casey Jones, E: Johnny B. Goode

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Reviewer: chris phillips - - March 24, 2013
Subject: best week of '79

1/8, 1/10, 1/11, 1/12 and 1/15 are high energy.

Reviewer: njpg - - January 17, 2013
Subject: Very well-played show,
nice recording!

Reviewer: boroask - - March 5, 2011
Subject: 5 stars
thanks to the gd forum for turning me on to this wonderful show. when the boys are on, there is nobody better.

Reviewer: brufeld4 - - February 4, 2011
Subject: WOW!
This show was not on the original tour schedule from the cancelled shows in November '78; it was added when the New Haven, Ct. show was abruptly cancelled right before that show was to start. This January Springfield show was added to accomodate those folks who couldn't make the rescheduled New Haven, Ct. show.

The entire 2nd set is amazing; a classically beautiful spacy Terrapin > Playin' sequence sandwiched between a mind blowing Miracle > Shakedown and an ass-kickin' Casey Jones! Not to mention the suprising Serengetti Jam out of Drums! The 1st set is simply delighful. A tentative but intense Jack Straw followed by a sweet Jack-A-Roe get things started. Mexicali Blues is outrageously good, with the best guitar and backround vocal I've ever heard from Jerry on this song!! Enough said. Thanks and enjoy!

Reviewer: feather0926 - - January 15, 2011
Subject: Another January Gem
Yes the Miracle>Shakedown is HOT!! However the Terrapin>Playin is HOTTER!!! Also give Row Jimmy & Passenger a listen. Just download this show you will not be disappointed that is why I called this review "Another January Gem". A solid 4**** show.

Reviewer: Harry Morgan - - February 12, 2010
Subject: Mohawk Nation Silliness
I love these folks who attempt to 'credential' their reviews by how long they've been a Deadhead. (I officially became a Deadhead twelve minutes ago.) You can have been a Republican for thirty-two years, too . . .

The 'Miracle,' he says, is "typical." I don't know what exactly that means, but I don't know when this band ever achieved "typical" on a song they had played live only twenty-three times, but whatever. What these guys achieve on this night in this place between 'Miracle' and 'Shakedown' is the nuttiest, off the chart, my-mind-has-liquefied-and-is-leaking-down-my-spinal-column gobbledygook I may have ever heard. And that goes equally as well for the jam at the end of 'Shakedown.' And, as others have noted, there are many other very fine moments, too. Plus it's a perfectly decent audience recording--especially when you consider that it's still early 1979. If you're a 'Shakedown' fan, and you like audience tapes, you will never regret the day you added this to your collection. Never. As for Mohawk Nation . . . well, there's no accounting for taste, is there?

Reviewer: Mr.Badger - - March 15, 2008
Subject: Miracle> Shakedown!!!!
A classic! A great Phil show...but everyone else is really on too. Great first set...in particular, the Row Jimmy and the Passenger draw my attention. The former has many great and smart subtlties to it, and the latter is just movin' and heavy!

The Miracle>Shakedown...well...man oh man. Thats the stuff right there! The jams in the Terrapin and the Playin' are inventive and real 'tight', in there own way, as well. Great singing to be found as well.

A knockout AUD from a short period of the bands' history (Pre Brent '79) that I confess I tend to pass over, as do others. This may be the best gig of that little slice just before the Godchauxs exited (Or maybe 2nd to the "very last one" or the show in Buffalo).

Reviewer: cringle - - November 24, 2007
Subject: Great '79 AUD
I think if there's one dead song where the studio version exceeds the live performances, its Terrapin. That said, 77-79 was the time to catch it live, before Keith's warm piano gave way to Brent's tinny toy keyboard sound of the early 80s and the kind nuance of the original version decays away over the next 2 decades.

Oh - and this show is also a Great '79 AUD. Great show, Great sound quality.

Reviewer: pnc - - May 21, 2007
Subject: The sound is excellent...
...and the show certainly has its moments. The 2nd set opener as noted, but in addition, save for the early blown lyrics, I thought Terrapin to be VERY nice.

The show does have some less inspired moments as reported...I don't know if I would call Stagger Lee a throw way song, however this performance, mostly due to Bobby's terribe slide (you can just hear Jerry slowing down for him) is rather flat. And From the Heart of Me...uggghh. And I'm a Donna fan.

4 for the sound.

Reviewer: Capt. Midnite - - January 4, 2007
Subject: Second set blast off.
Miracle>Shakedown. Nuff 'said.

Reviewer: Mr. Charlie - Lambertville - - December 9, 2006
Subject: Some inspired ...some not so much
Have to agree with the majority here. Definitely some highlights and definitely some uninspired playing. 9 tunes in each set is a little less than usual for the period. I've often wondered how the boys dealt with one of the band members coming down with the flu or something. They certainly never (rarely) cancelled a show and they performed so much that it must have occured often. The show must go on! If I had to guess I'd say that Jerry was a little under the weather. Still very much worth a listen.

Reviewer: lobster12 - - August 1, 2006
Subject: whoa
miracle>shakedown is priceless. As for one reviewer complaining about 22 minute Shakedown's. Please point one out. I'd love to give that a whirl.

Reviewer: TPryde - - May 26, 2006
Subject: sorry-beg to differ
great sound for an aud... and the playing is pretty damn good. the review below reminds me that people have lost sight of a few things: every show was about the show, not the recording afterwards. oh my god, stagger lee is a 'throw away song'!? You mean every single song in a show wasn't epic? The jam out of drums? Totally unique, it's called 'improv'- if I'd been at this show I'd have made miracle whip in my pants. every show doesn't have to be 'best ever' to be damn friggin' good and make me thankful that this band was a part of my life.

Reviewer: Mohawk Nation - - May 26, 2006
Subject: Sorry - Gotta Disagree
OK, the sound is terrific, and the crowd wants to get into it, but this is a deeply flawed performance. The Jack Straw starts out gorgeous, but Phil and Bobby have to kick Garcia in the ass to bang out some power chords at the end to rave it up. Stagger Lee? C'mon. It's a throwaway song. Miracle is typical and Shakedown has a funky second half and is mercifully not one of those 22-minute monsters from 1982. Bobby's slide manages not to mess up the end of Shakedown, as a matter of fact. And the jam out of the drums is the definition of pointless. The percussion is OK, but Garcia goes nowhere with it and Bobby's slide is just unlistenable. There's a reason it was a short-lived experiment. Playing reprise is OK, but very mellow. And Casey Jones starts out just great, but they completely screw it up at the end.

Great sound, but not a great show. And I have been a Deadhead since 1974 - not a newbie.....

Reviewer: hitmeister - - May 22, 2006
Subject: Doesn't get much better
This is about as good as it got during this era of the band's history. This is one of those shows that 's pretty much Just Exactly Perfect(tm). There's really not a weak moment. While there's good reason to rave about the Miracle>Shakedown 2nd set opener, for me, the highlight is the epic Playin' sequence.

This is one of the truly standout post-hiatus versions of this tune. A massive jamout-spaceout. The reprise is celebratory, and the Casey Jones set-closer couldn't be more appropriate. Bob's slide guitar doesn't even ruin it.

A definitive performance of the period, essential listening.

Reviewer: sky dog - - April 26, 2006
Subject: Surprising
There are some real gems hidden in some of these audience tapes. Jack-A-Roe is a scorcher on this one! The search for Phil is priceless.

Reviewer: capn doubledose - - April 24, 2006
Subject: Terrapin
Awesome - Shocker first set + I love the Miracle>Shakedown that was inspired... I gave this a 4 at first and then the Casey Jones and Playin reprise hooked me. This is one hot show.

Reviewer: AshesRising - - April 10, 2006
Subject: ....
Man, never thought I'd write a review and mention "I Need a Miracle," but such is my biased ignorance. As previously mentioned, the opening of the 2nd set "Miracle" jams flawlessly into "Shakedown" and is truly inspired. (Be forewarned that the entire band, not just Phil, drops an A-bomb on your head and up your spine as they bulldoze into the opening of "Shakedown.")
Just FYI: the band came out on stage for the 2nd set without Phil so Weir tells the audience that Phil was last seen "consorting with a couple of aliens" and asks the audience "if you see Phil, please send him home..." Enjoy!

Reviewer: Wavey Davey - - January 24, 2006
Subject: deelish!
Unusual ambiance. This is honestly a remarkable aud, especially for an indoor venue. It has the clarity of an outdoor recording with the snugness of a show with walls. This recording could make a convert out of sbd "purists" (side note: one could argue that the true purists prefer a juicy aud.)
show is slightly above average but the recording is top notch
4.5 stars, would be a 5 with a little more Phil presence

Reviewer: bass-great-lesh-phillin - - December 21, 2005
Subject: Mutron III
This take of shakedown pretty much makes it clear the that Mutron III is an amazing effects pedal. No envelope filter matches this thing.

Reviewer: bass-great-lesh-phillin - - December 21, 2005
Subject: Mutron III
This take of shakedown pretty much makes it clear the that Mutron III is an amazing effects pedal. No envelope filter matches this thing.

Reviewer: billydlions - - September 13, 2005
Subject: playin reprise
I agree with what everyone has said, but the best part of the show was the jam into the playin reprise. Jerry was playing at warp speed which was typical for him in these early 79 shows. Anyway, its the best Playing reprise I've ever heard. Whatever Jerry did to rejuvenate himself during drums was right on!

Reviewer: isaiah - - March 26, 2005
Subject: Weir melted my brain . . .
New this website and thrilled, as my tapes are now twenty years old and very well-worn. Slowly replacing my entire collection as well as finding shows I was at that I never had tapes for.

I had the Miracle> Shakedown from this show as a filler on a tape, but had no idea where it came from, as the copy didn't have the provenance. Just knew, between the Godchaux's and the material, that it was very late 70's. Used DeadBase (much thanks to those folk) to narrow it down to two January shows in 79; and here they are! The sound that Weir gets during Shakedown . . . YIKES. Use caution.

Speaking as a newbie, if you have the speed and the space, the Shorten files burned to CD are the way to go.

Reviewer: Jim F - - February 10, 2005
Subject: Great sound.
This show sounds excellent, which has been noted, but no one has mentioned the post drums jam. This is the highlight for me. Things just move along wonderfully with everyone pitching in.

Reviewer: J. Jonah Jameson - - February 7, 2005
Subject: Another GEM of an AUD
This is yet another amazing AUD recording, can't help but say it. The 1st set is raucous, very solid. The Search for Phil is really funny, you wonder what he was doing... OK, the story here is the transition between Miracle and Shakedown. This freakin' BURNS. It's awesome, simply put. The only thing missing here is the ballad, Jerry doesn't feel like it here and they go straight into Casey Jones to wind up the 2nd set, but there's plenty to amaze here so definitely download this gem.

Reviewer: Tenenbaum77 - - December 30, 2004
Subject: Miracle>>Shakedown
if there was a list of best Live Dead seques, this would be noted no doubt! Check it!!
For 79, this show holds up well; grab the 2nd set; you won't be sorry!

Reviewer: sheikyerbouti - - October 5, 2004
Subject: Invisible little gem
This does not show up anyone's radar screen and is really great - wonderful first set jack straw, jack a roe deal.... set II kicks ass... great segue from miracle into shakedown sometimes I miss this 78-79 when they were trying to figure out where shakedown fit in best and had it popping up all over the place - this is also one of Keith and Donna's last so soak it up....Great sound quality for an audience 25 years old... Great Terr>playin as well.

Reviewer: Hogg - - July 7, 2004
Subject: Jack Freakin Straw!
I'm always amazed on how (I think) Jack Straw is an underated song or at least isn't as popular or talked about as much as say Dew or Scarlet etc. For me it's the Quintessential Dead song, both Jerry and Bobby on lead vocals, a tale of murder/deceit and usally one epic ending jam after another. This Jackie for me is by far one of the best, it slowly builds into one of the most incredible jaw dropping jams i've ever heard in any song by any band. ENJOY. Thank You Mr Rolfe.

Reviewer: itsostupendous - - May 11, 2004
Subject: !
hard to believe this is an analog Aud recording, sounds really good! the miracle -> shakedown is a smooth smooth transition.

Notes

Recorded by Steven Rolfe, Section 61 (Front Middle), Row S, Seat 7.
($8.50 Admission). One mic was pointed at the PA (left or right) and the
other at the drums. Jim Wise took his DAT's and ran a 10dB noise reduction
and gave the bass a boost @ 125Hz.

Mastered to CD using a Tascam DA302 > HHB 850

SHN files generated on a Power Mac 7100 from WAV files extracted from a
Plextor 4/12 PXR-412C using Toast Audio Extractor